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Long Beach secures $915,000 for traffic safety, launching programs like Walk and Roll L B and Greenlight L B to educate on bicycle, pedestrian, and distracted/impaired driving safety. The initiative aims to reduce crashes and aligns with the citys Safe Streets initiative to eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2026.

Banning Gang Member Sentenced to Death for Five Murders William Arnold Armendariz the Third, a documented member of the East Side Banning Sapos gang, was sentenced to death for his involvement in five killings over several years. The twenty-eight-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges, and the jury recommended capital punishment. He will be transferred to Californias Death Row at San Quentin State Prison after the formal signing of the death warrant. Armendariz was directly involved in the deaths of Bradley Cunningham, James Lara Junior, Felicia McCafferty, Charles Neazer, and Theresa Sanchez, with the first murder occurring in November 2015 and the most recent in August 2020. The gang had a disturbing game where members earned points for killing people, and the killings stemmed from a perceived gang rivalry. Detectives connected these cases through forensic and eyewitness evidence, identifying Armendariz as the main conspirator. Several of his co-defendants have already been convicted, and the Banning Police Department hopes these convictions bring some closure to the victims families and make the city a safer place.

Leaders of a controversial Inland religious group, along with a third individual, were arrested in Hemet on December 11th on suspicion of murder. Darryl Muzic Martin, Shelly Bailey Martin, and Rudy Moreno are accused of involvement in the disappearance of two former church members, including Moreno himself, who was last seen in 2017. The Martins face charges of murder and weapons possession, while Moreno is charged with murder and weapons possession as a felon. This is not the first time the group has drawn police attention, with a previous investigation into the death of a child in 2010.

47-year-old Elliott Tramel Nowden, convicted of murdering 67-year-old Mirna Soza Arauz on a Metro train, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The victims son and youngest daughter expressed their grief, asking for justice. Nowden, armed with two knives, stabbed the unsuspecting victim and took her bag containing chili cheese fries. He then pulled the trains emergency brake to escape, leaving the victim to die. The sentencing brings closure to the community and reflects the severity of the crime.

Long Beach police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred on December 11th. An adult woman was struck by a Honda Accord while crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Investigators believe speed, impairment, or distracted driving were not factors. The victims identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The public is urged to contact Detective Edwin Paredes with any information related to the collision.

President Trumps executive order aims to discourage states from creating AI regulations, pushing for federal law instead. This move could significantly impact states like California, which has been a leader in AI regulation. The order directs federal agencies to challenge existing state AI laws and create model legislation, potentially restricting grants to states that continue to regulate AI. The debate over AI regulation continues, balancing innovation with public safety and economic concerns.

Forty-year-old Freddie Lamont Key Junior has been arrested for the murder of Dajuan Hunt, a thirty-nine-year-old man shot in Long Beach last October. Key, who was initially booked on an outstanding warrant, is now held on two million dollars bail. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Hundreds gather in LA to honor over 2,300 unclaimed souls, marking a record-high number of individuals laid to rest in decades. The ceremony, led by Supervisor Janice Hahn, emphasizes the importance of remembering every person with dignity and compassion, regardless of circumstances.

Discover the ins and outs of Californias Smog Abatement Fee, a topic that leaves many drivers, like Gina from Saugus, puzzled. This fee, typically $20-$25 annually for gas-powered vehicles, funds pollution reduction programs. Electric vehicle owners, however, pay a Road Improvement Fee of $118. Also, learn about temporary license plates and a rockers signed Mustang up for auction, with proceeds benefiting charity.